Virginia football Coach Tony Elliott berated his team before they had even run a play in the third quarter. While the 11 offensive players wandered off the field following a Cavalier timeout, Elliott’s yells may have resembled a Virginia team down two touchdowns — not one winning by the same margin.
The reason for Elliott’s frustration was that the Cavaliers experienced a miscommunication while getting set offensively. Elliott’s message to the players likely mirrored the one he offered to them at halftime.
“A lot of times we don’t see the potential we have,” Elliott said. “And it takes others to see that potential.”
All in all, Virginia showcased much of that potential Saturday night.
The Cavaliers (3-1, 1-0 ACC) played host under the lights to conference newcomer Stanford (1-3, 1-1 ACC) — the first ever matchup between the two programs. Virginia, however, did not show its guests much hospitality. Riding a 145-yard performance from senior receiver Trell Harris, the Cavaliers defeated the Cardinal 48-20.
That Virginia dominance began early, and it started with the program’s senior receiver. Exiting the first quarter up 21-7, the Cavaliers were beneficiaries of three Harris touchdowns. Such endzone acumen placed him in elite company — Harris joined Clemson alumnus DeAndre Hopkins as the only ACC player in the last 20 years with three receiving touchdowns in a single quarter.
Just as impressive as Harris was the man throwing him the ball — graduate quarterback Chandler Morris. A North Texas transfer, Morris helmed the Cavaliers through three offensive explosions in non-conference play. The Saturday night affair was no different.
Morris punished a Cardinal secondary that repeatedly offered him the opportunity to do so. Particularly in the first half, the Virginia signal caller found open receiver after open receiver, marching the Cavalier offense down the field seemingly at will. Morris’s five total touchdowns and 380 yards through the air dwarfed all of his previous 2025 single-game marks. More than any other game this season, the quarterback resembled the North Texas senior that finished top-10 in FBS passing yards just a year ago.
Morris excelled behind another outstanding performance from his offensive line. The Virginia blockers allowed just their first sack of the season Saturday, and it fell on a Morris rollout, where the quarterback stepped out of bounds just behind the line of scrimmage — an official loss of zero yards.
“Super proud of the offensive line,” Elliott said. “I know we got one sack credited, but I told Chandler that one’s on him.”
The Cavaliers’ control from scrimmage translated into the run game, as well. Virginia averaged almost five yards per rush, compared to just over one for the Cardinal. Unfortunately for the offensive line, graduate center Brady Wilson went down with a second half leg injury, but Elliott said postgame he hopes it’s no more than a calf strain.
As evidenced by Stanford's mediocre mark of 1.1 yards per rush, it wasn’t just on offense that the Cavaliers dominated the trenches. Led by a two-sack performance from graduate defensive lineman Daniel Rickert, Virginia’s rushers feasted on a helpless Cardinal quarterback — so much so that the Cavaliers’ five Saturday night sacks surpassed their existing season total.
“It’s a huge confidence boost,” junior defensive tackle Jason Hammond said. “And I think it’s a testament to the work we’ve been putting in in practice.”
Junior linebacker Kam Robinson, who had missed Virginia’s first three games with a collarbone injury, made his return to action known with a fourth quarter fumble recovery — Hammond forced the fumble. The takeaway, combined with four forced three-and-outs, underscored a positive performance for defensive coordinator John Rudzinski and company.
Perhaps the only concern arising for the Cavalier defense exists within the secondary. Virginia surrendered two 60-plus yard gains through the air, both resulting from broken coverage on the back end.The problem presented itself a week earlier in the Cavalier rout of William & Mary, when Rudzinski’s defense surrendered a 79-yard touchdown pass.
There’s no doubt it is a problem that needs addressing before the Cavaliers take on a Florida State team ranked No. 7 at Scott Stadium Friday night. Though undoubtedly the most difficult test of the season for Virginia, it provides an opportunity for Elliott and company to showcase the very potential he highlighted during the halftime break.
“Everybody's going to be excited,” Elliott said. “It's a primetime game.”
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